Top-Rated Companies Offering Migraine Prevention Solutions

Traditionally, you'd use prescribed or over-the-counter medication to treat your migraines, but more recently, natural solutions like supplements, exercise and meditation are also becoming popular. With improvements in technology surrounding migraine prevention and treatment, many medical devices are growing in popularity for those with these conditions.

How Migraine Devices Work to Prevent and Treat Headaches

During a migraine attack, your body sends out pain signals. Migraine devices work in various ways to modulate your nervous system activity and sensitivity to block these signals. Essentially, they modify how your body processes the pain migraines cause.

These self-administered migraine prevention solutions also help treat existing headaches. Some of these products have FDA clearance for over-the-counter (OTC) use, but others require a physician's prescription first. You will likely have no problems operating the devices or with a carer's assistance.

Here are the top-rated companies offering migraine prevention solutions.

1. Cefaly Technology

With over a decade of experience in drug-free neuromodulation therapy for migraine prevention and treatment, Cefaly Technology is a pathfinder in the industry. After multiple clinical trials, the company produced a safe, effective, easy-to-use migraine treatment device with minimal side effects for people over 18. It's been cleared by the FDA for OTC purchase. The Cefaly product has an acute treatment mode for early attack pain relief and a preventive mode you can use daily to reduce migraine frequency.

Using an electrode in combination with the device, Cefaly transmits a precise electric impulse to your nervous system's trigeminal nerve - a multibranched nerve in the face and head that is your body's direct migraine pain pathway. This electric impulse stimulates and desensitizes the nerve to either relieve the headache's intensity immediately or reduce future migraine frequency.

How to use Cefaly:

• Wash your hands and the skin above and between your eyebrows with soap and water, and dry your forehead to ensure the Cefaly electrode attaches well.
• Open the bag and peel the electrode from its backing by the edges.
• Position the electrode between your eyebrows with its wings just above them. Use a mirror for accuracy. Press your fingers over the whole electrode until it is flat on your skin.
• Bring your portable Cefaly device with the rear magnets exposed toward the electrode until the two connect on your forehead. Press the button once to activate the 60-minute acute program or twice to start the 20-minute daily preventive cycle.

Cefaly advises you to consult your health care provider before use if you:

• Aren't diagnosed with a migraine condition.
• Have a heart condition.
• Are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
• Have a history of seizures.
• Develop a severe and abnormal headache.
• Are over 65.

2. electroCore Inc.

electroCore Inc. is a bioelectronic medicine company that released the gammaCore hand-held noninvasive neuromodulation therapy unit for migraine treatment and prevention in people over 12. You can use the drug-free portable medical device up to 24 times in two-minute stimulations daily to provide effective results. The gammaCore product is rechargeable and FDA-cleared when combined with a licensed health care provider's prescription.

gammaCore activates the vagus nerve in your neck through your skin to prevent or relieve headache pains. This nerve sends essential communications between your brain and many body parts through your nervous system, controlling pain, fatigue, anxiety, heart rate, lung function, digestion and more. Through this noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation, gammaCore blocks the acute pain signals causing migraines and conditions the nerve to reduce future headaches.

How to use gammaCore:

• Find the pulse on both sides of your neck, using two fingers to locate your vagus nerve.
• Apply a small amount of the gel provided to the stimulation surfaces you located. Then, turn on the GammaCore appliance.
• Place your gammaCore device over the first treatment location and increase the stimulation intensity until you feel tiny muscle contractions at your mouth's corners.
• Continue for two minutes, then do the same on the other side of your neck.

As a prescription-only migraine prevention solution, your health care provider may advise against gammaCore use if you:

• Are pregnant.
• Have clinically significant bradycardia, hypertension, hypotension or tachycardia.
• Use a hearing aid implant, a pacemaker or other implanted device.
• Have a metallic stent, bone screw or bone plate close to your neck region.
• Have undergone cervical vagotomy surgery.
• Carry a narrowing of the artery diagnosis.
• Have cuts or damp areas on your neck.
• Intend to simultaneously use another portable electronic device, like a mobile phone.

3. Neurolief Inc.

Neurolief Inc. is a brain neurotechnology company with a proven record in the neuromodulation technology and neurotech device industry. It designed Relivion MG to relieve acute migraine symptoms while conditioning your body to reduce or prevent future attacks without using traditional medication. The wearable, drug-free, at-home migraine therapy comes with a charger and an app and is FDA-approved for users aged 18+ with valid doctors' prescriptions.

Relivion MG concurrently stimulates your body's occipital and trigeminal nerves to inhibit and free you from migraine pain and its associated symptoms. While the device has no symptomatic side effects, responsible and correct use can alleviate scalp numbness or persistent tingling after treatment. You may feel slight nausea, dizziness or sleepiness after initial treatments, which you may reduce or eliminate by lowering intensity levels.

How to use Relivion MG:

• After receiving your Relivion MG device, look for the activation serial number on the bottom and familiarize yourself with the control buttons. Activate your product.
• Insert the included Neurolief pads into the device - four in front and two at the rear. Spray each front pad five times and each rear one 10 times with the spray bottle you received. After spraying, press down on each pad for absorption.
• Remove any makeup or lotions from your forehead before opening the device arms and pushing them over your forehead so they settle behind your ears. Extend or reduce the arm size so the magnetic clamp closes behind your head, ensuring the device fits tightly and securely above your eyebrows to accurately target the nerve branches.
• Push down on the back electrode covers to release enough moisture. Water is key to your productive stimulation.
• Check your app to ensure the Relivion MG device is working. If not, recheck the pads, the item's placement and that it's fitting tightly enough.
• Start with a very low intensity setting and increase it over time as your tolerance allows. Follow your doctor's prescription for the regularity and duration of treatments, which will likely last between 20 and 60 minutes.

Your health care provider will likely not prescribe Relivion MG if you:

• Intend to interconnect the device with other electronic equipment.
• Have existing shrapnel or metal implants in your head, except dental implants.
• Have experienced facial or brain trauma within three months.
• Have skin abrasions on your forehead or occiput, where the pads will make contact.
• Possess an implanted cardiac pacemaker, an implanted or wearable defibrillator, an implanted neurostimulator, or any other metallic or electronic head device.
• Are pregnant, epileptic or suspect heart-related concerns.

4. Theranica Bio-Electronics

As the developer of several conditioned pain modulation (CPM) pain inhibition mechanisms, Theranica addresses some of the world's primary neurological diseases. After several clinical trials and additional research, the company released the Nerivio REN Wearable CPM device, which empowers people to acutely or preventively manage migraine headaches safely and effectively without traditional medical treatment. Designed for home use, the Nerivio REN Wearable is FDA-cleared for people over eight, subject to a prescription.

When CPM activates, the body uses neurotransmitters to eliminate or reduce pain. Scientific evidence suggests that people with a propensity for migraines often have impaired or lower CPM responses. Nerivio uses pain-free remote electrical neuromodulation (REN) to stimulate your upper arm to trigger the nervous system's peripheral nerves, activating the CPM and relieving your migraine pain.

How to use the Nerivio REN Wearable:

• Connect your Nerivio device to the downloadable smartphone app.
• Place the device on your arm and secure it tightly with its armband.
• Using the app, increase the treatment intensity to a substantial but comfortable level.
• Continue acute treatment for 45 minutes while continuing your daily routine.
• Use Nerivio every other day for 45 minutes to prevent migraine attacks. You can set up reminders via the app to ensure you don't miss treatments.

You should not use Nerivio REN Wearable without consulting your health care professional, who will likely decline to prescribe it to you if you:

• Have any metallic implants, a pacemaker or an internal hearing aid.
• Intend to get pregnant or already are.
• Experience uncontrolled epileptic fits.
• Have a skin disorder on your upper arm.
• Possess any cancerous lesions.
• Exhibit signs or have an existing diagnosis of congestive heart failure or severe cardiac or cerebrovascular disease.

5. Cirrus Healthcare

Specialty healthcare developer Cirrus Healthcare specializes in products that reduce ear pressure to prevent and treat some common yet debilitating conditions. It has over two decades of experience in ear care solutions and has designed WeatherX, a product that prevents weather-triggered migraine headaches. Although falling outside the scope of the FDA, the earplugs are drug- and latex-free and available through many online retailers without a prescription.

WeatherX earplugs provide a comfortable fit in adult ears, with smaller sizes available for children. If you suspect that the weather or shifts in barometric pressure are contributing to your migraines, using these specially designed earplugs in conjunction with the free WeatherX app could prevent future headaches. Every earplug contains a sensitive micro-ceramic filter that moderates barometric pressure shifts.

How to use WeatherX earplugs:

• Download the WeatherX app on your smartphone.
• Set your location and barometric sensitivity threshold on the app.
• Keep an ear open for an app push notification indicating a barometric pressure shift in your location.
• Insert your WeatherX earplugs into your ears before the anticipated time of the shift and change in weather.

While WeatherX earplugs have helped many people who endure weather-related migraines, not every condition is the same. Cirrus Healthcare suggests you:

• Keep a migraine diary to understand best when to insert your earplugs before a shift in weather. Some people develop migraines a few hours before a change, while others experience them when the weather changes. Knowing your ideal approach and setting your app notifications accordingly will help prevent migraines.
• Subscribe to WeatherX+ if you have frequent weather-related migraines. Doing so gives you access to the log feature in the app for more comprehensive migraine-related details.
• Change your WeatherX earplugs every two weeks for optimal performance. After opening and using them, particles that reduce their effectiveness can build up in the micro-ceramic filters.

6. WAT Medical Enterprise Ltd.

WAT Medical develops and supplies effective, safe, drug-free, user-friendly and rechargeable smart medical devices, including its EmaTerm HeadaTerm 2 migraine prevention device. HeadaTerm 2 is FDA-cleared for OTC use in the United States. With an ultralow power consumption rate of up to seven hours, the product is ideal for carrying with you in case an acute migraine attack hits. Ideally, you'll use HeadaTerm 2 to increase your chances of preventing headaches.

HeadaTerm 2 is a wearable transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device. It uses a forehead-based electrode to interact with your nervous system's supratrochlear and supraorbital nerves to change how the brain responds during a migraine attack by reducing signals. Over time, regular use of the product will decrease the sensitivity of these nerves, reducing pain levels and contributing to fewer migraines.

How to use HeadaTerm 2:

• When you get your device, charge it. The indicator light will pulse until charging is complete.
• Clean your forehead and ensure it is dry before connecting the HeadaTerm 2.
• Peel off the plastic protective layer on the electrode and stick the electrode to the center of your forehead, one finger width above your eyebrows. Your device will magnetically attach to the positioned electrode.
• Turn on your device by pressing and holding the control button for two seconds. Afterward, single-click the button for a gear increase and double-click it to decrease.

Due to its OTC status, you should use caution before using HeadaTerm 2 if you:

• Experience any cardiac conditions, including cerebrovascular disease, congestive heart failure or severe heart disease.
• Are prone to uncontrolled epilepsy.
• Have any active implanted medical devices, including pacemakers and hearing aids.
• Have metal implants, conductive materials or other metals in your head, neck or upper body.
• Are under 18 years old.

Technology-Driven Migraine Prevention Solutions Are Helping People

Thanks to the modern progression of migraine solutions, both acute and preventive, many people have better and wider alternatives to deal with and prevent their headaches. If you have to deal with migraines regularly, consider investing in a reputable, FDA-cleared option to transform your life for the better.

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